Community Advisory Boards (CABs) are established to serve as an advisory and decision-making group. They are comprised of community residents, educators, business owners, and other local stakeholders. The CABs meet monthly to discuss project-related activities as well as concerns and struggles the members are noticing in their communities. The members are empowered with their involvement and that their voices are being heard. The CABs are a vital part of the project. Their feedback on ways to approach families in their communities and what information to ask has greatly assisted the work of the project.
Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas
The CABs in Texas are located in Hidalgo County along the Texas/Mexico border. Each CAB is located in a different County Commission Precinct.
Progreso Community Health Advisory Council (P-CHAC)
Committee Chair: Daisy Garcés
P-CHAC held its first meeting in September 2015. The board is comprised of members from the Progreso area.
The formation of P-CHAC led to a movement by officials to improve places for physical activity and eating habits. Members started volunteering at community events to represent P-CHAC. Some of the community outreach events were the Fall Book Fair and Health Fair. The members had additional meetings and their own community events. Members formed volunteer teams and picked up tires to prevent overpopulation of mosquitoes. Members also received training from the American Red Cross to install smoke detectors in the community. They installed over 180 smoke detectors to underprivileged and hard-to-reach families. Over 90 families benefited from this event. The families were also instructed what to do in case of an emergency. The members also received CPR training.
Comité Asesoría de Salud y Comunidad
Advisory Committee for Health and Community (CASCO)
Committee Chair: Hermes Dominguez
CASCO held its first meeting in June 2016. The board is comprised of members from the San Juan area.
CASCO members are grateful for the assistance in bettering their community. In the short time it has been formed, the members have been busy in the community. A Back to School Fair was held at the community center. School supplies were provided to 588 children. The members received training to install smoke detectors and provided over 100 smoke detectors to families in the area. They also provided information to the families as to what to do in emergencies. The members also received CPR training.
Hand in Hand in San Carlos (HHSC)
Committee Chair: Alicia Rodríguez
HHSC held its first meeting in June 2016. The board is comprised of members from the San Carlos area.
HHSC members are excited to have this board and are eager to assist the community. San Carlos Community Center has numerous programs for families. Most of the families in San Carlos are not aware of these programs. The HHSC members are learning of the programs so they can share with families in the community. The members received training from the American Red Cross on how to install smoke detectors. Over 100 smoke detectors were provided and the members are working on installing additional ones. They also provided the families with information on what to do in an emergency. The members also received CPR training.
Arizona
Vivir Mejor! Consortium
The Vivir Mejor! Consortium was established in the fall of 2011 in Santa Cruz County, AZ. The Consortium’s goal is to promote healthy eating by increasing access to healthy foods, teaching healthy food preparation and changing dietary patterns and norms in order to prevent and reduce obesity risk among Santa Cruz County residents. They meet quarterly to address partner/program updates, new collaborations, funding pursuits, conference dissemination activities, updates on Familia Saludable activities and ongoing/new local efforts related to healthy eating/active living.
The current chair of the Consortium is Rosie Piper and it consists of different partners representing multiple organizations in the community.
Current members:
- Mariposa Community Health Center
- Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital
- Nogales Community Food Bank
- Nogales Community Development Corporation
- Adolescent Wellness Network
- Rio Roco Community Center
- OS3 Movement
- Women, Infants, and Children
- Santa Cruz County Cooperative Extension